Board Sets Date For Public InputThe Speedway Library Board of Public Trustees accepted the 2008 through 2010 Capital Projects Fund Plan so it could be advertised for a public hearing on April 4. The public hearing will allow the public to comment on the $346,553 three-year plan that includes upgrading the 18-year old phone system in 2008. By 2009, the plan calls for introducing a downloadable audio book system. Library Director Darsi Bohr said she has not received any patron request for e-books (electronic books) but she has received several requests for downloadable audio books. In 2010, the computer system will be evaluated to move toward online and downloadable information. In other matters, the board decided not to revisit Mr. Alan Thompson’s request to honor his wife Betty J. Thompson by placing her name on the exterior brick façade. Bohr credited the late Mrs. Thompson with her leadership to start the library in 1968. Prior to 1968, Speedway residents used the high school library. “The board decided a plaque was more of an appropriate means to honor Mrs. Thompson, but Mr. Thompson declined the offer. We are public entity and we don’t want to get into naming rights. There is no need to revisit the issue,” Board member Katie Patterson said. On March 9, Mr. Thompson said, “I wanted the whole world to know that Betty J. Thompson founded the library. I offered to pay for it myself.” Thompson doesn’t believe the small plaque sufficiently honors his wife’s commitment to the library. In other matters, the board’s excess levy appeal of $83,000 was not fully granted. The board asked for the appeal to make up the difference when Allison Transmission received a tax abatement over a two-year period that cut into the library’s expected tax revenues. Bohr said the department of local government and finance only approved of $31,891 over the last two years. The board also approved for Bohr to eliminate the antiquated cassette tapes from the library shelves. |
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